🔧 Accord - Ignition Coil Replacement

Replacing the ignition coils on your Accord involves unplugging each coil, removing its small retaining bolt, lifting the coil off the spark plug, and installing the new one. This repair helps fix misfires, rough running, poor acceleration, or ignition coil fault codes.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 30-60 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool before starting. The cylinder head and exhaust area can burn you.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the 12-volt battery negative terminal before unplugging ignition coils.
• ⚠️ Your Accord is a hybrid. Do not touch orange high-voltage cables or hybrid system parts.
• ⚠️ Keep tools away from the 12-volt battery positive terminal to prevent sparks.
• ⚠️ Replace one coil at a time so the connectors stay in the correct locations.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 3/8-inch extension 6-inch
• Torque wrench inch-pound 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch drive
• Plastic trim removal tool
• Needle-nose pliers
• Shop towel
• Dielectric grease applicator or cotton swab
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Ignition coil - Qty: 1-4
• Dielectric grease - Qty: 1 packet

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Accord on level ground and shift to Park.
• 🔌 Turn the vehicle fully OFF and keep the key/fob away from the cabin.
• ⏱️ Wait at least 30 minutes for the engine to cool.
• 🔋 Use a 10mm socket to disconnect the 12-volt battery negative terminal. The negative terminal is the black cable marked “-”.
• 🧰 A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to the correct tightness so small bolts do not snap.
• 🧴 Dielectric grease is a silicone grease used lightly inside the coil boot to help keep moisture out.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open the Hood and Find the Ignition Coils

• Use the hood release and raise the hood fully.
• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Look across the top of the engine. The ignition coils are the small coil units mounted above the spark plugs, each with an electrical connector.

Step 2: Remove the Engine Cover if Equipped

• Use your hands to lift the plastic engine cover straight upward if it is held by rubber grommets.
• If a clip is tight, use a plastic trim removal tool to gently lift the cover.
• Set the cover aside safely.
• Pull straight up gently.

Step 3: Unplug One Ignition Coil

• Work on only one coil at a time.
• Press the locking tab on the ignition coil electrical connector by hand.
• If the connector is stuck, use needle-nose pliers gently on the connector body, not the wires.
• Pull the connector straight back from the coil.
• Do not pull the wires.

Step 4: Remove the Coil Retaining Bolt

• Use a 10mm socket, 3/8-inch extension 6-inch, and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the ignition coil retaining bolt.
• Place the bolt on a shop towel so it does not roll away.

Step 5: Pull Out the Old Ignition Coil

• Hold the top of the ignition coil by hand.
• Twist it slightly left and right to loosen the rubber boot.
• Pull the coil straight upward out of the spark plug tube.
• If you see oil or water inside the spark plug tube, stop and fix that leak before installing new coils.

Step 6: Prepare the New Ignition Coil

• Compare the new ignition coil with the old one. The connector and rubber boot should match.
• Use a dielectric grease applicator or cotton swab to apply a very thin film of dielectric grease inside the rubber boot opening.
• Do not fill the boot with grease.
• A light film is enough.

Step 7: Install the New Ignition Coil

• Push the new ignition coil straight down into the spark plug tube by hand.
• Press gently until the rubber boot seats onto the spark plug.
• Start the retaining bolt by hand first so it does not cross-thread.
• Use a torque wrench inch-pound 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch drive with a 10mm socket to tighten the retaining bolt to Torque to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reconnect the Electrical Connector

• Push the electrical connector onto the ignition coil until it clicks.
• Lightly tug the connector by hand to make sure it is locked.

Step 9: Replace the Remaining Coils if Needed

• Repeat Steps 3 through 8 for each additional ignition coil.
• Use the same 10mm socket, 3/8-inch ratchet, 3/8-inch extension 6-inch, and torque wrench inch-pound 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch drive.
• Replace one coil at a time to avoid mixing up connectors.

Step 10: Reinstall the Cover and Reconnect the Battery

• Reinstall the engine cover by lining up the mounts and pressing it down by hand.
• Use a 10mm socket to reconnect the 12-volt battery negative terminal.
• Use the torque wrench inch-pound 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch drive with a 10mm socket to tighten the battery terminal to Torque to 5 Nm (44 in-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Accord and let it idle for 1-2 minutes.
• ✅ The engine should idle smoothly without shaking.
• ✅ If the check engine light was on, use a scan tool to clear stored misfire codes.
• ✅ Take a short test drive and check for smooth acceleration.
• ✅ If the check engine light flashes, stop driving and recheck the coil connectors.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$360 (parts only)

You Save: $135-$290 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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